Nora is such a sweet, simple pattern, with a tidy binding finish and fun keyhole back option (though there is a closed back option, too).

Nora’s sleeve options include sleeveless, short, half, 3/4 (excluding Baby Nora), or long sleeves! I know I can’t be the only one dreaming about mashing with sleeves from our other patterns, too. For women’s, length options include top, mini, and dress lengths, plus tunic and crop hacks detailed below. Baby and Youth Nora feature top and dress lengths, plus you can utilize the hacks below with some modifications. Finally, you can choose between a high, medium, or low scoop neckline for Women.  Andddd, did I mention it has POCKETS?!?!?

We love you love the simplicity and the versatility of Nora! We have just a few hacks for you below, just to make sure you get the most out of your newest Made for Mermaids patterns.

V-Neck Hack

Love the silhouette of the Nora but find yourself wishing for a different neckline? Modifying to be a v-neck is not hard. Slightly adjust the scoop neckline so that it looks more like a v shape. Then, stitch the binding at the center front. You may need to adjust to width of your binding a bit; binding should measure about 90% of the neckline, plus 1″ for seam allowance.

 

Tunic Hack

This hack is SUPER easy; use the mini length cut line, and shorten roughly 2″ or so. You may wish to shorten a bit more or a bit less depending on your height, as well as personal fit preference. If your little ones are not into dresses, this is a great alternative option for extending the life of their handmade wardrobe!

It’s also an easy way to make leggings more work-appropriate, depending on your job and workplace dress code, or the dress code at your child’s school.

Crop Hack

It’s starting to look like summer around here and I’m beyond ready! I’m preparing my summer wardrobe by adding crop tops to it. I know, that’s something I thought I’d never say as someone in their 30s. Let me show you how I used Nova to make a fun swing style crop top tank.

I use a projector for sewing now so I first started by tracing my size(s) onto tracing paper. I measure a blue bust, indigo waist and blue hip. I graded for the waist but after drawing my swing cut line, didn’t need to do that. This crop top can be made as a tank or with sleeves. I’ll show the tank version here but if you want the sleeved version, just trace along that cutline and cut out sleeves.

To start, determine how long you want your crop to be. This will depend on preference and torso length. I put on a tank top (the Jordan) and clipped my measuring tape to it at the armsyce. Then I folded up my tank to where I wanted the crop to end. This wasn’t a super technical process but gave me an idea of length.

I’m 5’5″ and found that 13″ length was what I preferred. Make sure to add in your 1/2″ hem allowance going forward.

 

*NOTE: You will be applying the same modifications to the front and back pattern pieces.

Using the measurement above including the hem allowance, measure that length from the armsyce to the top hem using a straight ruler. Make a mark on your pattern here then draw a line along the ruler creating your new cut line. This line creates the relaxed waist and swing of the crop.

Then slide the top hem curve from the original pattern up to line up with that point you just drew. Draw along the hem curve so you have the same curve to your crop as the original top.

Repeat the process so you have both front and back pattern pieces adjusted. Cut them out. Now you are ready to continue with cutting out your fabric. Make sure to follow the new cut lines, indicated in green on my pattern pieces.

What’s great about this hack is that it only changes the shape of your Nova, not the construction. You will cut the bands and sleeves as instructed in the tutorial as well as follow all the steps to assemble your top. Now you have a fun crop to enjoy all summer long!

~Katie

Don’t forget to share your latest makes over in our Facebook group; we’re looking forward to seeing you and your new Nora tops and dresses! I’m excited to try out either a Nora + Nina mashup, or a Nora + Adeline mashup – which one should I tackle first??!?